Method of determining master and slaves by communication capability of network nodes

Abstract

A communication control apparatus is provided for setting a plurality of node apparatuses to either of a transmitter and a receiver of synchronization information to synchronize the node apparatuses with each other. A storage device memorizes capability information representing either of an active capability to transmit the synchronization information and a passive capability to receive the synchronization information, owned by each of the node apparatuses. An indicating device indicates the active capabilities and the passive capabilities owned by the node apparatuses. A specifying device is operated in association with the indicated active capabilities and the passive capabilities for outputting status information effective to specify each node apparatus to a transmitter or a receiver. A plurality of memory blocks are provided in correspondence to the plurality of the node apparatuses to memorize status information. A registering device registers each of the outputted status information into each memory block to set the corresponding node apparatus to a transmitter of the synchronization information when the status information specifies the transmitter, and to set the corresponding node apparatus to a receiver of the synchronization information when the status information specifies the receiver.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A communication control apparatus for setting a plurality of node apparatuses involved in a network to either of a transmitter and a receiver of synchronization information circulated through the network to synchronize the node apparatuses with each other, the communication control apparatus comprising: 
       a storage device that memorizes capability information representing either of an active capability to transmit the synchronization information and a passive capability to receive the synchronization information, owned by each of the node apparatuses;  
       an indicating device that indicates the active capabilities and the passive capabilities owned by the node apparatuses involved in the network according to the memorized capability information;  
       a specifying device that is operated in association with the indicated active capabilities and the passive capabilities of the node apparatuses for outputting status information effective to specify each node apparatus to a transmitter or a receiver of the synchronization information;  
       a plurality of memory blocks that are provided in correspondence to the plurality of the node apparatuses to memorize status information of the corresponding node apparatuses; and  
       a registering device that registers each of the outputted status information into each memory block to set the corresponding node apparatus to a transmitter of the synchronization information when the status information specifies the transmitter, and to set the corresponding node apparatus to a receiver of the synchronization information when the status information specifies the receiver.  
     
     
       2. The communication control apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of the node apparatuses can transfer data through the network at one of multiple sampling frequencies based on the synchronization information, such that the storage device stores a multiple of the capability information in correspondence to the multiple sampling frequencies, and such that each memory block stores a multiple of the status information corresponding to the multiple sampling frequencies. 
     
     
       3. The communication control apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of the node apparatuses are connected to each other through a local area network. 
     
     
       4. The communication control apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of the node apparatuses transact music data representing a music piece with each other in response to the synchronization information through the local area network to constitute a music system for generating the music piece. 
     
     
       5. A communication control apparatus for setting a plurality of node apparatuses including a first node apparatus and a second node apparatus involved in a network to either of a transmitter and a receiver of synchronization information circulated through the network to synchronize the node apparatuses with each other, the communication control apparatus comprising: 
       a storage device that memorizes common master information effective to specify the first node apparatus to a transmitter of synchronization information commonly used throughout the network;  
       a determining device that operates based on the memorized common master information for outputting status information effective to determine the second node apparatus to a receiver of the synchronization information transmitted from the first node apparatus;  
       a memory block that is provided in correspondence to the second node apparatus to memorize status information of the second node apparatus; and  
       a registering device that registers the outputted status information into the memory block to set the second node apparatus to a receiver of the synchronization information.  
     
     
       6. The communication control apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of the node apparatuses can transfer data through the network at one of multiple sampling frequencies based on the synchronization information, such that the storage device stores a multiple of the common master information in correspondence to the multiple sampling frequencies, and such that the memory block stores a multiple of the status information corresponding to the multiple sampling frequencies. 
     
     
       7. The communication control apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of the node apparatuses are connected to each other through a local area network. 
     
     
       8. The communication control apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of the node apparatuses transact music data representing a music piece with each other in response to the synchronization information through the local area network to constitute a music system for generating the music piece. 
     
     
       9. A communication control apparatus for setting a plurality of node apparatuses involved in a network to either of a transmitter and a receiver of synchronization information circulated through the network to synchronize the node apparatuses with each other, the communication control apparatus comprising: 
       a storage device that memorizes capability information representing either of an active capability to transmit the synchronization information and a passive capability to receive the synchronization information, possessed by each of the node apparatuses;  
       an indicating device that indicates node apparatuses possessing the active capabilities according to the memorized capability information;  
       a specifying device that outputs common master information effective to specify one node apparatus among the indicated node apparatuses to a transmitter of synchronization information commonly used throughout the network;  
       a first memory block that memorizes the common master information outputted from the specifying device;  
       a determining device that operates based on the memorized common master information for outputting status information effective to determine another node apparatus among the plurality of the node apparatuses to a receiver of the synchronization information transmitted from said one node apparatus;  
       a second memory block that is provided in correspondence to said another node apparatus to memorize status information of said another node apparatus; and  
       a registering block that registers the outputted status information into the second memory block to set said another node apparatus to a receiver of the synchronization information.  
     
     
       10. The communication control apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of the node apparatuses can transfer data through the network at one of multiple sampling frequencies based on the synchronization information, such that the storage device stores a multiple of the capability information in correspondence to the multiple sampling frequencies, that the first memory block stores a multiple of the common master information in correspondence to the multiple sampling frequencies, and that the second memory block stores a multiple of the status information corresponding to the multiple sampling frequencies. 
     
     
       11. The communication control apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of the node apparatuses are connected to each other through a local area network. 
     
     
       12. The communication control apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of the node apparatuses transact music data representing a music piece with each other in response to the synchronization information through the local area network to constitute a music system for generating the music piece. 
     
     
       13. A communication control apparatus for setting a plurality of node apparatuses including a first node apparatus, a second node apparatus and a third node apparatus involved in a network to either of a transmitter and a receiver of synchronization information circulated through the network to synchronize the node apparatuses with each other, the communication control apparatus comprising: 
       a memory block that memorizes status information effective to specify the first node apparatus to a receiver of the synchronization information transmitted from the second node apparatus;  
       a determining device that operates based on the memorized status information for outputting status information effective to determine the third node apparatus to a receiver of the synchronization information transmitted from the second node apparatus;  
       another memory block that is provided in correspondence to the third node apparatus to memorize status information of the third node apparatus; and  
       a registering device that registers the outputted status information into said another memory block to set the third node apparatus to a receiver of the synchronization information.  
     
     
       14. The communication control apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of the node apparatuses can transfer data through the network at one of multiple sampling frequencies based on the synchronization information, such that the memory blocks store a multiple of the status information in correspondence to the multiple sampling frequencies. 
     
     
       15. The communication control apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of the node apparatuses are connected to each other through a local area network. 
     
     
       16. The communication control apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of the node apparatuses transact music data representing a music piece with each other in response to the synchronization information through the local area network to constitute a music system for generating the music piece. 
     
     
       17. A communication control apparatus for setting a plurality of node apparatuses including a first node apparatus and a second node apparatus involved in a network to either of a transmitter and a receiver of synchronization information circulated through the network to synchronize the node apparatuses with each other, the communication control apparatus comprising: 
       a memory block that memorizes active status information effective to specify the first node apparatus to a transmitter of synchronization information;  
       a determining device that operates based on the memorized active status information for outputting passive status information effective to determine the second node apparatus to a receiver of the synchronization information transmitted from the first node apparatus;  
       another memory block that is provided in correspondence to the second node apparatus to memorize status information of the second node apparatus; and  
       a registering device that registers the outputted passive status information into said another memory block to set the second node apparatus to a receiver of the synchronization information.  
     
     
       18. The communication control apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of the node apparatuses can transfer data through the network at one of multiple sampling frequencies based on the synchronization information, such that said memory block memorizes a multiple of the active status information in correspondence to the multiple sampling frequencies, and such that said another memory block memorizes a multiple of the passive status information corresponding to the multiple sampling frequencies. 
     
     
       19. The communication control apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of the node apparatuses are connected to each other through a local area network. 
     
     
       20. The communication control apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein the plurality of the node apparatuses transact music data representing a music piece with each other in response to the synchronization information through the local area network to constitute a music system for generating the music piece. 
     
     
       21. A communication control apparatus for setting a plurality of node apparatuses including a first node apparatus and a second node apparatus involved in a network to either of a transmitter and a receiver of synchronization information circulated through the network to synchronize the node apparatuses with each other, the communication control apparatus comprising: 
       a storage device that memorizes capability information representing either of an active capability to transmit the synchronization information and a passive capability to receive the synchronization information, owned by each of the first node apparatus and the second node apparatus;  
       a determining device that is operated according to a predetermined rule and according to the active capability and the passive capability owned by the first and second node apparatuses for outputting status information effective to specify either of the first and second node apparatuses to a transmitter or a receiver of the synchronization information;  
       first and second memory blocks that are provided in correspondence to the first and second node apparatuses to memorize status information of the corresponding node apparatuses; and  
       a registering device that registers the status information into the first memory block to set the first node apparatus to a transmitter or a receiver of the synchronization information when the status information is determined for the first node apparatus, and that registers the status information into the second memory block to set the second node apparatus to a transmitter or a receiver of the synchronization information when the status information is determined for the second node apparatus.  
     
     
       22. The communication control apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of the node apparatuses can transfer data through the network at one of multiple sampling frequencies based on the synchronization information, such that the storage device stores a multiple of the capability information in correspondence to the multiple sampling frequencies, and such that the first and second memory blocks store a multiple of the status information corresponding to the multiple sampling frequencies. 
     
     
       23. The communication control apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of the node apparatuses are connected to each other through a local area network. 
     
     
       24. The communication control apparatus according to  claim 23 , wherein the plurality of the node apparatuses transact music data representing a music piece with each other in response to the synchronization information through the local area network to constitute a music system for generating the music piece. 
     
     
       25. A communication control method for setting a plurality of node apparatuses involved in a network to either of a transmitter and a receiver of synchronization information circulated through the network to synchronize the node apparatuses with each other, the communication control method comprising the steps of: 
       collecting capability information representing either of an active capability to transmit the synchronization information and a passive capability to receive the synchronization information, owned by each of the node apparatuses;  
       indicating the active capabilities and the passive capabilities owned by the node apparatuses involved in the network according to the collected capability information;  
       outputting status information effective to specify each node apparatus to a transmitter or a receiver of the synchronization information by referring to the indicated active capabilities and the passive capabilities of the respective node apparatuses; and  
       registering each of the outputted status information into each of a plurality of memory blocks that are provided in correspondence to the plurality of the node apparatuses, thereby setting the corresponding node apparatus to a transmitter of the synchronization information when the registered status information specifies the transmitter, and setting the corresponding node apparatus to a receiver of the synchronization information when the registered status information specifies the receiver.  
     
     
       26. A communication control method for setting a plurality of node apparatuses including a first node apparatus and a second node apparatus involved in a network to either of a transmitter and a receiver of synchronization information circulated through the network to synchronize the node apparatuses with each other, the communication control method comprising the steps of: 
       detecting common master information effective to specify the first node apparatus to a transmitter of synchronization information commonly used throughout the network; then  
       outputting status information effective to determine the second node apparatus to a receiver of the synchronization information transmitted from the first node apparatus according to the detected common master information; and  
       registering the outputted status information into a memory block that is provided in correspondence to the second node apparatus, thereby setting the second node apparatus to a receiver of the synchronization information.  
     
     
       27. A communication control method for setting a plurality of node apparatuses involved in a network to either of a transmitter and a receiver of synchronization information circulated through the network to synchronize the node apparatuses with each other, the communication control method comprising the steps of: 
       collecting capability information representing either of an active capability to transmit the synchronization information and a passive capability to receive the synchronization information, possessed by each of the node apparatuses;  
       indicating node apparatuses possessing the active capabilities according to the collected capability information;  
       outputting common master information effective to specify one node apparatus among the indicated node apparatuses to a transmitter of synchronization information commonly used throughout the network;  
       outputting status information effective to determine another node apparatus among the plurality of the node apparatuses to a receiver of the synchronization information transmitted from said one node apparatus, based on the outputted common master information; and  
       registering the outputted status information into a memory block that is provided in correspondence to said another node apparatus, thereby setting said another node apparatus to a receiver of the synchronization information.  
     
     
       28. A communication control method for setting a plurality of node apparatuses including a first node apparatus, a second node apparatus and a third node apparatus involved in a network to either of a transmitter and a receiver of synchronization information circulated through the network to synchronize the node apparatuses with each other, the communication control method comprising the steps of: 
       detecting status information effective to specify the first node apparatus to a receiver of the synchronization information transmitted from the second node apparatus; then  
       outputting status information effective to determine the third node apparatus to a receiver of the synchronization information transmitted from the second node apparatus, based on the detected status information; and  
       registering the outputted status information into a memory block that is provided in correspondence to the third node apparatus, thereby setting the third node apparatus to a receiver of the synchronization information.  
     
     
       29. A communication control method for setting a plurality of node apparatuses including a first node apparatus and a second node apparatus involved in a network to either of a transmitter and a receiver of synchronization information circulated through the network to synchronize the node apparatuses with each other, the communication control method comprising the steps of: 
       detecting active status information effective to specify the first node apparatus to a transmitter of synchronization information; then  
       outputting passive status information effective to determine the second node apparatus to a receiver of the synchronization information transmitted from the first node apparatus, in response to the detected active status information; and  
       registering the outputted passive status information into a memory block that is provided in correspondence to the second node apparatus, thereby setting the second node apparatus to a receiver of the synchronization information.  
     
     
       30. A communication control method for setting a plurality of node apparatuses including a first node apparatus and a second node apparatus involved in a network to either of a transmitter and a receiver of synchronization information circulated through the network to synchronize the node apparatuses with each other, the communication control method comprising the steps of: 
       collecting capability information representing either of an active capability to transmit the synchronization information and a passive capability to receive the synchronization information, owned by each of the first node apparatus and the second node apparatus;  
       outputting status information effective to specify either of the first and second node apparatuses to a transmitter or a receiver of the synchronization information according to a predetermined rule and according to the active capability and the passive capability owned by the first and second node apparatuses;  
       registering the outputted status information into a first memory block provided in correspondence to the first node apparatus, thereby setting the first node apparatus to a transmitter or a receiver of the synchronization information when the outputted status information is determined for the first node apparatus; and otherwise  
       registering the outputted status information into a second memory block provided in correspondence to the second node apparatus, thereby setting the second node apparatus to a transmitter or a receiver of the synchronization information when the outputted status information is determined for the second node apparatus.  
     
     
       31. A machine readable medium for use in a communication control apparatus having a CPU for setting a plurality of node apparatuses involved in a network to either of a transmitter and a receiver of synchronization information circulated through the network to synchronize the node apparatuses with each other, the medium containing program instructions executable by the CPU for causing the communication control apparatus to perform a method comprising the steps of: 
       collecting capability information representing either of an active capability to transmit the synchronization information and a passive capability to receive the synchronization information, owned by each of the node apparatuses;  
       indicating the active capabilities and the passive capabilities owned by the node apparatuses involved in the network according to the collected capability information;  
       outputting status information effective to specify each node apparatus to a transmitter or a receiver of the synchronization information by referring to the indicated active capabilities and the passive capabilities of the respective node apparatuses; and  
       registering each of the outputted status information into each of a plurality of memory blocks that are provided in correspondence to the plurality of the node apparatuses, thereby setting the corresponding node apparatus to a transmitter of the synchronization information when the registered status information specifies the transmitter, and setting the corresponding node apparatus to a receiver of the synchronization information when the registered status information specifies the receiver.  
     
     
       32. A machine readable medium for use in a communication control apparatus having a CPU for setting a plurality of node apparatuses including a first node apparatus and a second node apparatus involved in a network to either of a transmitter and a receiver of synchronization information circulated through the network to synchronize the node apparatuses with each other, the medium containing program instructions executable by the CPU for causing the communication control apparatus to perform a method comprising the steps of: 
       detecting common master information effective to specify the first node apparatus to a transmitter of synchronization information commonly used throughout the network; then  
       outputting status information effective to determine the second node apparatus to a receiver of the synchronization information transmitted from the first node apparatus according to the detected common master information; and  
       registering the outputted status information into a memory block that is provided in correspondence to the second node apparatus, thereby setting the second node apparatus to a receiver of the synchronization information.  
     
     
       33. A machine readable medium for use in a communication control apparatus having a CPU for setting a plurality of node apparatuses involved in a network to either of a transmitter and a receiver of synchronization information circulated through the network to synchronize the node apparatuses with each other, the medium containing program instructions executable by the CPU for causing the communication control apparatus to perform a method comprising the steps of: 
       collecting capability information representing either of an active capability to transmit the synchronization information and a passive capability to receive the synchronization information, possessed by each of the node apparatuses;  
       indicating node apparatuses possessing the active capabilities according to the collected capability information;  
       outputting common master information effective to specify one node apparatus among the indicated node apparatuses to a transmitter of synchronization information commonly used throughout the network;  
       outputting status information effective to determine another node apparatus among the plurality of the node apparatuses to a receiver of the synchronization information transmitted from said one node apparatus, based on the outputted common master information; and  
       registering the outputted status information into a memory block that is provided in correspondence to said another node apparatus, thereby setting said another node apparatus to a receiver of the synchronization information.  
     
     
       34. A machine readable medium for use in a communication control apparatus having a CPU for setting a plurality of node apparatuses including a first node apparatus, a second node apparatus and a third node apparatus involved in a network to either of a transmitter and a receiver of synchronization information circulated through the network to synchronize the node apparatuses with each other, the medium containing program instructions executable by the CPU for causing the communication control apparatus to perform a method comprising the steps of: 
       detecting status information effective to specify the first node apparatus to a receiver of the synchronization information transmitted from the second node apparatus; then  
       outputting status information effective to determine the third node apparatus to a receiver of the synchronization information transmitted from the second node apparatus, based on the detected status information; and  
       registering the outputted status information into a memory block that is provided in correspondence to the third node apparatus, thereby setting the third node apparatus to a receiver of the synchronization information.  
     
     
       35. A machine readable medium for use in a communication control apparatus having a CPU for setting a plurality of node apparatuses including a first node apparatus and a second node apparatus involved in a network to either of a transmitter and a receiver of synchronization information circulated through the network to synchronize the node apparatuses with each other, the medium containing program instructions executable by the CPU for causing the communication control apparatus to perform a method comprising the steps of: 
       detecting active status information effective to specify the first node apparatus to a transmitter of synchronization information; then  
       outputting passive status information effective to determine the second node apparatus to a receiver of the synchronization information transmitted from the first node apparatus, in response to the detected active status information; and  
       registering the outputted passive status information into a memory block that is provided in correspondence to the second node apparatus, thereby setting the second node apparatus to a receiver of the synchronization information.  
     
     
       36. A machine readable medium for use in a communication control apparatus having a CPU for setting a plurality of node apparatuses including a first node apparatus and a second node apparatus involved in a network to either of a transmitter and a receiver of synchronization information circulated through the network to synchronize the node apparatuses with each other, the medium containing program instructions executable by the CPU for causing the communication control apparatus to perform a method comprising the steps of: 
       collecting capability information representing either of an active capability to transmit the synchronization information and a passive capability to receive the synchronization information, owned by each of the first node apparatus and the second node apparatus;  
       outputting status information effective to specify either of the first and second node apparatuses to a transmitter or a receiver of the synchronization information according to a predetermined rule and according to the active capability and the passive capability owned by the first and second node apparatuses;  
       registering the outputted status information into a first memory block provided in correspondence to the first node apparatus, thereby setting the first node apparatus to a transmitter or a receiver of the synchronization information when the outputted status information is determined for the first node apparatus; and otherwise  
       registering the outputted status information into a second memory block provided in correspondence to the second node apparatus, thereby setting the second node apparatus to a transmitter or a receiver of the synchronization information when the outputted status information is determined for the second node apparatus.